1 882.] Barbados. 221 



higher, and within the first hour we were all comfortably drenched. 

 This part of the programme seemed in keeping with the expedi- 

 tion, and we silently congratulated ourselves upon so auspicious 

 a beginning. Before long, however, the sea continued making 

 efforts to stow away a portion of its surplus water in our boat, 

 and all hands were requested to " bail out." By means of hollow 

 calabashes this feat was accomplished. After having gone out 

 to sea about twelve miles sails were lowered and we lay tossing 

 about and waiting for fish. All around us we could see the bright 

 bodies of flying fish flash out from the crest of a wave, pass with 

 great rapidity for some distance over the water, and then drop 

 down again. Eventually a few curious individuals arrived, appa- 

 rently to inspect the sides of our boat. During their examination 

 they encountered sundry hooks, quietly opened their capacious 

 mouths and allowed them to float in. One or two " flops " when 

 brought on board, and they settled down, seemingly resigned, in 

 the water at the bottom of the boat. This sport was surely grow- 

 ing exciting— but slowly. Thanks to the outward trip and the 

 constant motion of our boat — thanks, too, to our elaborate break- 

 fast, which had consisted of a glass of water — we four ancient 

 mariners were beginning to experience a feeling which a novice 

 on board of a ship might designate as " faint." An inexplicable 

 want of energy, a certain absent-mindedness as to the fascinations 

 of fishing, and a decided disinclination to attack our lunch bas- 

 kets, became painfully noticeable. In order to revive our sunken 

 spirits somewhat (we will generously accord him the benefit of a 

 lingering doubt) this august individual ordered the bait to be 

 brought out. It was brought out. A basket of loose workman- 

 ship was filled with fragments of flying fish, which might have 

 been alive two weeks before ; at the time, however, they were 

 very dead. This basket was hung over the side of the boat into 

 the water. Evidently the fish appreciated the perfume which thus 

 was spread far and wide, for they came in large numbers within 

 easy reach of our nets. Whether it was the overpowering joy pro- 

 duced by our success, or whether it was grief at the sudden end- 

 ing of so many fish lives, full of youth and full of promise, we 

 must allow posterity to decide. It is enough' to say that " Novs. 

 Scotia," "Scotland" and "America" ignominiously collapsed, 

 and "the further proceedings interested them no more." Occa- 

 sionally a cold, wet fish would alight on the pale face of one or 



